Editing apparatus and editing method

ABSTRACT

An editing apparatus or method, when applied in particular to a simple editing system using an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer, makes possible execution of various aspects of editing in a simple configuration. Only partial video signals required for the setting of editing points are transferred to working memory means to enable the result of editing to be previewed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an editing apparatus and an editingmethod, and more particularly to an editing apparatus and an editingmethod suitable for use in an editing system employing an informationprocessing apparatus having memory means of a relatively small capacity,such as a personal computer.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Editing apparatuses conventionally used in broadcasting stations andelsewhere record in a large capacity hard disk unit video signals to beedited, and then edit these recorded signals.

Thus, an editing apparatus for application to such equipment has alarge-capacity hard disk unit, into which original video materialsrecorded on a plurality of magnetic tapes are recorded (copied). Thisediting apparatus is configured to prepare an editing list on the basisof the video materials recorded on this hard disk unit, edit accordingto this editing list the video materials recorded on the hard disk unit,and record the result of edition in a video tape recorder or the like.

Incidentally, in recent years, it has come to be desired to use aninformation processing apparatus, such as a personal computer, to easilyaccomplish this kind of editing tasks. In this case, it is conceivableto re-record the original video materials into the personal computer forediting as in the case of a conventional editing apparatus.

However, this would entail the need for a hard disk unit of an extremelylarge capacity on the part of the personal computer, which would preventan editing system of this kind to be easily structured.

One proposed solution to this problem is a method whereby a version ofvideo materials is prepared for use in the compilation of the editinglist on the part of the personal computer by reducing the resolution ofthe original video materials. Thus, the operator would compile anediting list on the personal computer from the video materials whosedata quantity has been reduced in this manner, and edit the originalvideo materials according to the editing list thereby compiled. However,though this would make it possible to reduce the quantity of data to berecorded on the part of the personal computer, there still remains theproblem that eventually a hard disk unit having a large enough capacityto store all the video materials would be required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been attempted in view of the aforementionedproblems, and is intended to propose an editing apparatus and an editingmethod which permit execution of various aspects of editing work in asimple configuration.

According to the invention, there is provided an editing apparatuscomprising:

a playback controller for effecting control to selectively enter videosignals, which are to be edited, as instructed by an operator from aplayback side memory apparatus in which the video signals are recorded;

memory means for recording said selectively entered video signals;

a list generator for generating an editing list on the basis of thevideo signals recorded in said memory means and editing commands givenby the operator regarding said video signals; and

an edit processor for controlling, on the basis of said editing list,the playback side memory apparatus to edit said video signals to beedited.

According to the invention, there is also provided an editing methodwhereby:

video signals, which are to be edited, are selectively entered asinstructed by the operator from the playback side memory apparatus inwhich the video signals are recorded;

said selectively entered video signals are recorded;

an editing list is generated on the basis of the video signals recordedin said memory means and editing commands given by the operatorregarding said video signals; and

the playback memory apparatus is controlled to edit said video signalsto be edited on the basis of said editing list.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of an editingapparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the editing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall processing sequence in theediting apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for use in describing the entry of videomaterials into an editing apparatus, which is a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for use in describing the entry of videomaterials.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for use in describing the entry of videomaterials near in-points.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for use in describing the entry of videomaterials near in-points for one frame.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for use in describing the entry of videomaterials near out-points.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are charts illustrating a time code map.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of a display frame inpreviewing.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing inpreviewing.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing continuingfrom FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing continuingfrom FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing continuingfrom FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a chart showing an editing list.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic diagrams for use in describing theprocessing of special effects.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing of a specialeffect.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing continuingfrom FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing during atransitional period in the processing procedure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the sequence of dubbing in theprocessing procedure of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing continuingfrom FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart for use in describing the recording of videosignals during the transitional period in the processing procedure ofFIG. 18.

FIGS. 23A to 23D2 are schematic diagrams for use in describing batchprocessing.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the sequence of planning the batchprocessing.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processing continuingfrom FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the sequence of dubbing by planning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail below with reference to drawings as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of an editingapparatus, which is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Thisediting apparatus 1 is composed by connecting a playback side videocassette recorder (VCR) 5 and a recording side VCR 6 to a personalcomputer 3 in whose hard disk unit 2 is stored an editing program.

The personal computer 3 here is equipped with a video capture board 7 ina prescribed extension slot, and connected to the playback side VCR 5and the recording side VCR 6 via this video capture board 7. Thisarrangement enables the personal computer 3, when an operator executes aprescribed operation in accordance with a graphical user interface (GUI)displayed on a display unit 8, issues a control command DC to theplayback side VCR 5 and the recording side VCR 6, and controls theactions of these VCRs 5 and 6 with the control command DC. The personalcomputer 3 effects control so as to take in and process video signals SVplayed back by the playback side VCR 5 and, as required, to have theprocessed video signals recorded into the recording side VCR 6.

The editing apparatus 1 prepares an editing list by controllingperipheral units to have the personal computer 3 execute a sequence ofprocessings, and records the result of editing into the recording sideVCR 6 according to the editing list which has been prepared.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functional blocks of the personalcomputer 3. An external device controller 2A controls the actions of theplayback side VCR 5 and the recording side VCR 6, which consist ofexternal units in this case, under the control of an editing subsystem2B, thereby switches the actions of these VCRs 5 and 6, and achievesactions including cueing, recording, playback and synchronization.

An input/output management unit 2C manages, under the control of theediting subsystem 2B, the inputting/outputting of video signals andaudio signals between the playback side VCR 5 and the recording side VCR6. In this inputting/outputting operation, the input/output managementunit 2 c generates digital video signals by subjecting successivelyentered video signals to analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion by an A/Dconverter 2CA arranged on the video capture board 7, and supplies thesedigital video signals to the editing subsystem 2B.

At this time the input/output management unit 2C, at the instruction ofthe editing subsystem 2B, thins out digital video signals with athinning-out circuit 2CB arranged on the video capture board 7,downgrades the resolution of these digital video signals and therebyreduces the data quantity of the digital video signals.

The input/output management unit 2C also receives digital video signalssupplied by the editing subsystem 2B, converts them into video signalswith a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 2CC arranged on the videocapture board 7, and outputs the converted signals. In this operation toinput/output video signals, the input/output management unit 2C extractstime codes added to the video signals, and supplies them to the editingsubsystem 2B. The input/output management unit 2C also adds time codessupplied to the recording side VCR 6 by the editing subsystem 2B to thevideo signals it outputs.

A storage management unit 2D controls, under the control of the editingsubsystem 2B, the action of the hard disk unit 2, controls video signalsand audio signals entered from the input/output management unit 2C so asto record them into the hard disk unit 2, and also effects control so asto reproduce and supply these video signals and audio signals recordedin the hard disk unit 2.

The editing subsystem 2B consists of main modules required for editprocessing. Of these modules, a time code management unit 2BA managestime codes for objects of editing and results of editing. In thismanagement, the time code management unit prepares extended time codesand a time code map needed for the preparation of an editing list, andmanages the editing list on the basis of these extended time codes andtime code map. The extended time codes here are time codes unique tothis editing system to specify video signals, which are the objects ofediting, as well as a video cassette in which the objects of editing arerecorded.

A GUI management unit 2BB manages the graphical user interface displayedon the display unit 8, switches the display on the display unit underthe control of an edit processing unit 2BC, and notifies the editprocessing unit 2BC of the operator's manipulation on this displayscreen.

A viewer 2BD issues, under the control of the edit processing unit 2BC,a request to the storage management unit 2D, and display video signalsstored in the hard disk unit 2 in a prescribed window formed on thedisplay unit 8. Audio signals are supplied to a prescribed unit ofplayback hardware. The editing apparatus 1 is thereby enabled to checkthe preview picture of the video signals stored in the hard disk unit 2.

Special effect filters 2BE are provided in a plurality of typescorresponding to special effects to be added by this editing apparatus1, and add various effects to video signals under the control of theedit processing unit 2BC as designated by the operator. With thesespecial effect filters 2BE, processings including wipes and dissolvescan be executed.

The edit processing unit 2BC controls various modules according tonotifications from the GUI management unit 2BB, and thereby executes thepreparation of the editing list and other tasks in this editingapparatus 1.

A batch processing management unit 2BF executes, under the control ofthe edit processing unit 2BC, the schedule management of batchprocessing for the editing of video signals in accordance with theediting list, and manages the external device controller 2A according tothis schedule management. The batch processing management unit 2BF isthereby enabled to edit video signals recorded on a plurality ofmagnetic tapes and record the edited signals into the recording side VCRwithout requiring frequent VCR loading into and unloading from theplayback side VCR 5.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of processing by the editprocessing unit 2BC in the sequence of editing work.

First, the edit processing unit 2BC, as the operator actuates powersupply to the editing apparatus 1 and selects a prescribed menu on thedisplay unit 8, starts this procedure of processing, and moves from stepSP1 to step SP2. Here the edit processing unit 2BC controls the GUImanagement unit 2BB to display the prescribed menu frame on the displayunit 8. The edit processing unit 2BC further accepts rough setting ofin-points and out-points by the operator in response to the actionsindicated on this menu frame, and enters video materials for the editingwork from the playback side VCR 5 into the editing apparatus 1 on thebasis of these roughly set in-points and out-points.

This input processing of video materials for the editing work will nowbe described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

The edit processing unit 2BC, as shown in FIG. 4, moves on from step SP3to step SP4 in the input processing of these video materials, andacquires a tape ID. The tape ID here is an identification code for thetape on which the video materials are recorded, and the edit processingunit 2BC acquires the tape ID on the basis of management data recordedon the initial part of each magnetic tape. If a tape ID fails to beacquired on the basis of the management data, the edit processing unit2BC controls the GUI management unit 2BB to urge the operator to enter atape ID, and thereby acquires the tape ID.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP5, and generatesnear-in-point material objects. Here in this particular embodiment ofthe invention, the editing apparatus 1, as illustrated in FIG. 5, takesin video signals IS and OS around the rough in-points S and out-pointsE, set by the operator, for a prescribed period with respect to editingmaterials between the in-points S and the out-points E and, using thematerials taken in, executes processings including previewing.

Of these objects, near-in-point material objects IS are video signalsfor a prescribed period around an in-point S, and the edit processingunit 2BC, executing the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6, entersthese near-in-point material objects IS. Thus the edit processing unit2BC moves on from step SP6 to step SP7, where it instructs via theexternal device controller 2A the playback side VCR 5 to play back.

At this time, the edit processing unit 2BC, after rewinding the magnetictape to a position before the operator-set in-point S by a prescribedperiod, causes the playback side VCR 5 to play back and, at the nextstep SP8, judges whether or not the playback position of the playbackside VCR 5 has reached a position before the in-point by the prescribedperiod tS0 on the basis of a time code obtained via the time codemanagement unit 2BA.

If a negative result is obtained here, the edit processing unit 2BC willrepeat step SP8 and, when the playback position of the playback side VCR5 reaches the position before the in-point by the prescribed period tS0,will move on to step SP9 because an affirmative result is obtained atstep SP8. Here the edit processing unit 2BC acquires an in-tape ID, andalso acquires the start point time code S0 (FIG. 5) of the near-in-pointmaterial objects.

Here the in-tape ID is an ID code for identifying a video materialwithin the tape. In this embodiment of the invention, consecutivenumbers are set within each tape as in-tape IDs, each numberrepresenting a pair of an in-point and an out-point set by the operator,in the sequence of the playback of video materials.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP10, and controls theinput/output management unit 2C to take in a one-frame equivalent ofvideo signals played back by the playback side VCR 5.

The taking-in of video signals will be described here in detail withreference to FIG. 7. The edit processing unit 2BC, moving on from stepSP11 to step SP12, actuates the A/D converter 2CA, so that video signalswhich are successively entered can be converted into digital videosignals. Then the edit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP13, andstores a one-frame equivalent of digital video signals into a framebuffer arranged downstream from the A/D converter 2CA.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC, moving on to step SP14, actuates thethinning-out circuit 2CB, and reduces the resolution of the digitalvideo signals stored in the frame buffer. At the next step SP15, theedit processing circuit 2BC, after recording into the hard disk unit 2these resolution-reduced digital video signals in addition to anexisting file for editing work, goes on to step SP16 to complete theprocessing procedure.

Having taken in a one-frame equivalent of video signals in this manner,the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP17 (FIG. 6), and judgeswhether or not the playback position of the playback side VCR 5 is in aposition after the in-point S by a prescribed period tS1. If a negativeresult is obtained here, the edit processing unit 2BC will return tostep SP10, and take in a one-frame equivalent of ensuing video signals.Repeating this processing procedure of going back and forth betweensteps SP10 and SP17, the edit processing unit 2BC forms one fileconsisting of video signals from a position S0, back from theoperator-set in-point S by a time length of tS0, till a position S1after the in-point S by a time length of tS1, and holds this file asnear-in-point material objects IM in the hard disk unit 2.

Having obtained an affirmative result at step SP17, the edit processingunit 2BC moves on to step SP18 where it acquires a time code S1 for theend point (FIG. 5) with respect to these near-in-point material objects,and goes on to step SP19 to return to the main routine.

Having taken in the near-in-point material objects IM in this manner,the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP20 (FIG. 4), where ittakes in near-out-point material objects OM.

The processing to generate these near-out-point material objects willnow be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. The edit processingunit 2BC, going on from step SP22 to step SP23, instructs the playbackside VCR 5 to play back the video tape. At this time, the editprocessing circuit 2BC, after fast-forwarding the magnetic tape to aposition back from an out-point E (FIG. 5) set by the operator by aprescribed period, causes the playback side VCR 5 to play back the tapeand, at the following step SP24, judges whether or not the playbackposition of the playback side VCR 5 has reached a position before theout-point by the prescribed period tE0 on the basis of a time codeobtained via the time code management unit 2BA.

If a negative result is obtained here, the edit processing unit 2BC willrepeat step SP24 and, when the playback position of the playback sideVCR 5 reaches the position before the out-point by a prescribed periodtE0, will move on to step SP25 because an affirmative result is obtainedat step SP24. Here the edit processing unit 2BC acquires an in-tape ID,and also acquires the start point time code E0 (FIG. 5) of thenear-out-point material objects. Here, it is so disposed that thein-tape ID at the out-point coincide with the in-tape ID obtained at thein-point.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC, moving on to step SP26, controls theinput/output management unit 2, takes in a one-frame equivalent of videosignals played back by the playback side VCR 5. The taking-in of videosignals here is executed in the same processing procedure as that ofnear-in-point material objects described with reference to FIG. 7.

Having taken in a one-frame equivalent of video signals in this manner,the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP27, and judges whetheror not the playback position of the playback side VCR 5 is in a positionafter the out-point E by a prescribed period tE1. If a negative resultis obtained here, the edit processing unit 2BC will return to step SP26, and take in a one-frame equivalent of ensuing video signals.Repeating this processing procedure of going back and forth betweensteps SP26 and SP27, the edit processing unit 2BC forms one fileconsisting of video signals from a position E0, back from theoperator-set in-point E by a time length of tE0, till a position E1after the in-point E by a time length of tE1, and holds this file asnear-out-point material objects OM in the hard disk unit 2.

Having obtained an affirmative result at step SP27, the edit processingunit 2BC moves on to step SP28 where it acquires a time code 1 for theend point with respect to these near-out-point material objects, andgoes on to step SP 29 to return to the main routine.

Having taken in the near-out-point material objects OM in this manner,the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP30 (FIG. 4), where itadds the file name to the near-in-point material objects IM and thenear-out-point material objects OM, stores them from the working area toanother prescribed area in the hard disk unit 2, compiles an editingmaterial object file covering these two kinds of objects together and,after storing it into the same prescribed area, goes on to step SP31 tocomplete this processing procedure.

The edit processing unit 2BC thus executes the processing procedure foreach of the in-points and out-points set by the operator, and stores thevideo materials to be worked on into the hard disk unit 2. The editprocessing unit 2, after completing the entry of a video material to beworked on for every operator-set in-point and out-point, prepares a timecode map (SP2 in FIG. 3).

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the edit processing unit 2BC preparesthe time code map out of the tape Ids, in-tape IDS, the time codes ofthe start and end points and extended time codes corresponding to thetime codes of the start and end points with respect to the videomaterials taken into the hard disk unit 2. The start points and endpoints here correspond to the operator-set in-points and out-points,respectively. The extended time codes are prepared by adding the tape IDand the in-tape ID to the time code of each start point or end point.

For instance, if two video materials recorded on two magnetic tapes 10Aand 10B are to be edited (FIGS. 9B and 9C), extended time codes areformed by adding the start and end points of the video materialsrecorded on the two magnetic tapes to the respective tape IDs andin-tape IDs of the magnetic tapes 10A and 10B, and the time code map iscompiled out of these extended time codes. This time code map enablesthe editing apparatus 1 to relate the video materials to be played backby the playback side VCR 5 and the video materials recorded in the harddisk unit 2.

Having completed the compilation of the time code map in this manner,the edit processing unit 2BC executes editing work at step SP40. Herethe edit processing unit 2BC, in response to operation by the operator,reads out the video material to be worked on which are recorded in thehard disk unit 2, repeats preview processing and accepts alteration ofin-points and out-points by the operator. It also accepts designation ofspecial effects according to manipulation by the operator.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC, moving on to step SP41 as instructedby the operator, updates the time code map in accordance with thein-points and the like altered in the course of preview processing, andprepares an editing list. Further the edit processing unit 2BC, at thefollowing step SP42, controls the batch processing management unit 2BFto plan editing work by batch processing according to the editing list.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC, after preparing a special effectscene in the editing work at step SP43, records by batch processing atstep SP44 video signals played back by the playback side VCR 5 into therecording side VCR 6. After recording video signals resulting fromediting according to the editing list into the recording side VCR 6, theedit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP45 to complete thisprocessing procedure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a display frame on the display unit 8during editing work. The edit processing unit 2BC, as the operatordesignates a video material to work on after selecting an editing mode,displays this frame (FIG. 10B). The display frame here consists of aplurality of windows, of which one window W1 displays video signalsresulting from previewing. In the upper part of this preview result isshown a reference time code, and in the lower part of same are displayedicons denoting playback, fast forward, rewind and so forth. The editingapparatus 1 thereby makes it possible to check the result of editing byclicking one or another of these icons.

The edit processing unit 2BC also displays a window W2 to check thevideo material to be previewed, and the video material displayed in thewindow W1 is displayed in a bar shape together with the preceding andfollowing video materials. In this window W2, as the bars therein areshown in an expanded form in FIG. 10A, the video materials 10A and 10Bto be worked on are expressed in a bar shape, with the near-in-pointmaterial objects IMA and IMB and the corresponding near-out-pointmaterial objects OMA and OMB being positioned at the respective twoends. Further, the respective time codes TCSA, TCSB, TCEA and TCEB ofthe in-points and out-points of the near-in-point material objects IMAand IMB and the near-out-point material objects OMA and OMB aredisplayed close to the corresponding ones of the near-in-point materialobjects IMA and IMB and the near-out-point material objects OMA and OMB.

The in-points and out-points of the near-in-point material objects IMAand IMB and of the near-out-point material objects OMA and OMB arerepresented by linear cursors SA, SB, EA and EB, respectively, and inthe edit processing unit 2BC, the in-points and out-points can bealtered by clicking and dragging the corresponding cursors SA, SB, EAand EB with a mouse.

This display frame further is so formed that a third window W3 can beopened by selecting an appropriate menu, and a filter for a specialeffect to be worked on a video material in editing can be displayed inthis third window. In the editing apparatus 1, various filtering effectscan be accomplished at designated editing points by dragging icons,displayed in this third window W3, to a scene-transitional segment thatcan be composed of a near-out-point material object OMA and anear-in-point material object IMA. Incidentally in this embodiment ofthe invention, various wipes, dissolves and other special effects can bechosen by selecting an appropriate menu, and the filtering period andother factors can be set in respect of each individual menu.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the editprocessing unit in the case where the operator has chosen a preview menufor cut editing.

Thus the edit processing unit moves on from step SP50 to step SP51, andaccepts the designation of a playback object MA (FIG. 10) consisting ofa video material with which to start previewing. Then the editprocessing unit 2BC goes on to step SP52, where it sets a playbackpointer reading corresponding to the in-point of the playback object MA.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP53, where itinstructs a video material to be worked on (a frame) to be read out ofthe hard disk unit 2 on the basis of this playback pointer reading, anddisplays the played-back picture designated by this pointer in thewindow W1 of the display unit 8. Then the edit processing unit 2BC goeson to step SP54, where it advances the playback pointer reading by avalue of 1, and further moves on to step SP55. Here the edit processingunit 2BC judges whether or not the frame indicated by this playbackpointer reading corresponds to the time code SA1 at the end of thenear-in-point material object IMA. If a negative result is obtainedhere, the edit processing unit 2BC will return to step SP53, and displayin the window W1 the video signal corresponding to this playback pointeradvanced by 1.

The edit processing unit 2BC starts playing back the near-in-pointmaterial object IMA, recorded in the hard disk unit 2, from thein-point, repeats the processing procedure in the sequence ofSP53-SP54-SP55-SP53, and successively displays contents of thisnear-in-point material object IMA in the window W1. As it plays back inthis state the near-in-point material object IMA to its end, it moves onfrom step SP55 to step SP56 because an affirmative result is obtained atstep SP55, and the edit processing unit 2BC displays the end frame SA1in the window W1.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP57, where it sets aprescribed length of time tZA in a built-in timer. This time length tZAhere is the period from the end of the near-in-point material object IMAto the beginning of the corresponding near-out-point material objectOMA. After setting the timer in this way, the edit processing unit 2BC,as shown in FIG. 12, goes on to step SP58, where the edit processingunit 2BC judges whether or not the time length tZA set in the timer haselapsed. If the result is negative, it will repeat step SP58.

The edit processing unit 2BC successively displays the contents of thenear-in-point material object IMA beginning with the in-point SA. Whenit reaches the end of the near-in-point material object IMA, the editprocessing unit 2BC fixes the display in the window W1 to therepresentation of this end, and awaits the lapse of the period tZA.Thus, when previewing the near-in-point material object IMA and thenear-out-point material object OMA of the objects of editing taken intothe hard disk unit 2, the editing apparatus 1 displays, with respect tovideo materials which are located between these near-in-point materialobject IMA and near-out-point material object OMA but not taken into thehard disk unit 2, the frame at the end of the near-in-point materialobject IMA in a still picture.

Incidentally, in the edit processing unit 2BC, when video materialsincluding the near-in-point material object OMA are successivelydisplayed, the time code display in the window W1 is also updatedsuccessively. Furthermore, even when the frame at the end of thenear-in-point material object IMA is displayed in a still picture, theedit processing unit 2BC successively updates the time code display inthe window W1, and thereby enables the operator to confirm that thevideo material to be edited is being previewed even when the display isa still picture.

Now, when the time length tZA has elapsed, the edit processing unit 2BC,as an affirmative result is obtained at step SP58, moves on to stepSP59, where it sets the playback pointer reading so as to designate thebeginning of the corresponding near-out-point material object OMA.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC, after displaying the frame of thenear-out-point material object OMA designated by this playback pointerreading in the window W1, goes on from step SP60 to step SP61, where itadvances the playback pointer reading by a value of 1.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP62, and judgeswhether or not the frame indicated by the playback pointer readingcorresponds to the time code EA of the out-point in the near-out-pointmaterial object OMA. If a negative result is obtained here, the editprocessing unit 2BC will return to step SP60, and display in the windowW1 a video signal corresponding to this playback pointer readingadvanced by a value of 1.

The edit processing unit 2BC starts playing back the near-out-pointmaterial object OMA, recorded in the hard disk unit 2, from thebeginning, repeats the processing procedure in the sequence ofSP60-SP61-SP62-SP60, and successively displays contents of thisnear-out-point material object OMA in the window W1. As it plays back inthis state the near-out-point material object OMA to its end, it moveson from step SP62 to step SP63 because an affirmative result is obtainedat step SP62, and the edit processing unit 2BC displays the frame SE ofthis out-point in the window W1.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the edit processing unit 2BC goes on to stepSP64, and designates a playback object MB following theoperator-designated playback object MA.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP65, and sets aplayback pointer reading corresponding to the in-point of this playbackobject MB.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP66, where itinstructs a video material to be worked on (a frame) to be read out ofthe hard disk unit 2 on the basis of this playback pointer reading, anddisplays the played-back picture designated by this pointer in thewindow W1 of the display unit 8. Then the edit processing unit 2BC goesonto step SP67, where it advances the playback pointer reading by avalue of 1, and further moves on to step SP68. Here the edit processingunit 2BC judges whether or not the frame indicated by this playbackpointer reading corresponds to the time code SB1 at the end of thenear-in-point material object IMB. If a negative result is obtainedhere, the edit processing unit 2BC will return to step SP66, and displayin the window W1 the video signal corresponding to this playback pointeradvanced by 1.

The edit processing unit 2BC, with respect to the near-out-pointmaterial object OMA and the near-in-point material object IMB recordedin the hard disk unit 2, after playing back from the beginning till theout-point of the near-out-point material object OMA, starts playing backthe near-in-point material object IMB from the in-point, repeats theprocessing procedure in the sequence of SP66-SP67-SP68-SP66, andsuccessively displays contents of this near-in-point material object IMBin the window W1. As it plays back in this state the near-in-pointmaterial object IMB to its end, it moves on from step SP68 to step SP69because an affirmative result is obtained at step SP68, and the editprocessing unit 2BC displays the end frame SB1 in the window W1.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP70, where it sets aprescribed length of time tZB in the built-in timer. This time lengthtZB here is the period from the end of the near-in-point material objectIMB to the beginning of the corresponding near-out-point material objectOMB. After setting the timer in this way, the edit processing unit 2BC,as shown in FIG. 14, goes on to step SP71, where the edit processingunit 2BC judges whether or not the time length tZB set in the timer haselapsed. If the result is negative, it will repeat step SP71.

The edit processing unit 2BC, for the near-in-point material object IMBas well, when it reaches its end, displays the still picture of this endin the window W1, and awaits the lapse of the period tZB. Thus, alsowhen previewing the near-in-point material object IMB and thenear-out-point material object OMB of the objects of editing taken intothe hard disk unit 2, the editing apparatus 1 displays, with respect tovideo materials which are located between these near-in-point materialobject IMB and near-out-point material object OMB but not taken into thehard disk unit 2, the frame at the end of the near-in-point materialobject IMB in a still picture.

Now, when the time length tZB has elapsed, the edit processing unit 2BC,as an affirmative result is obtained at step SP71, moves on to stepSP72, where it sets the playback pointer reading so as to designate thebeginning of the corresponding near-out-point material object OMB. Thenthe edit processing unit 2BC, after displaying the frame of thenear-out-point material object OMB designated by this playback pointerreading in the window W1, goes on to step SP74, where it advances theplayback pointer reading by a value of 1.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP75, and judgeswhether or not the frame indicated by playback pointer readingcorresponds to the time code EB of the out-point in the near-out-pointmaterial object OMB. If a negative result is obtained here, the editprocessing unit 2BC will return to step SP73, and display in the windowW1 a video signal corresponding to this playback pointer readingadvanced by a value of 1.

The edit processing unit 2BC starts playing back the near-out-pointmaterial object OMB, recorded in the hard disk unit 2, from thebeginning, repeats the processing procedure in the sequence ofSP73-SP74-SP75-SP73, and successively displays contents of thisnear-out-point material object OMB in the window W1. As it plays back inthis state the near-out-point material object OMB to its out-point, itmoves on from step SP75 to step SP76 because an affirmative result isobtained at step SP75, and the edit processing unit 2BC, afterdisplaying the frame EB of this out-point in the window W1, goes on tostep SP77 to complete this processing procedure.

These processings shown from FIG. 3 to FIG. 14 enable the editprocessing unit 2BC to selectively take in only those pictures which arenear in-points or out-points out of the objects of editing, and toexecute previewing with the pictures taken in. This selective taking-inof only the pictures near in-points or out-points enables editing workto be accomplished with a hard disk unit 2 of only a small capacity. Atthe same time, downgrading the resolution serves to reduce the requiredcapacity of the hard disk unit 2.

On the other hand, when the operator selects previewing with adesignation of special effects other than this cut editing such as wipesand dissolves, the edit processing unit 2BC controls the special effectfilters 2BE, executes filtering as intended by the operator upon thevideo signals supplied to the window between the near-out-point materialobject OMA and the near-in-point material object IMB, and displays theprocessed picture in the window W1.

FIG. 15 is a chart showing an editing list of in-points, out-points andspecial effects set by the operator. As the operator successivelydesignates in-points and out-points, the edit processing unit 2BCprovisionally generates this editing list and, as the operator completespreviewing of each editing material and gives commands of editingdecision, the edit processing unit 2BC successively updates theprovisionally generated editing list to bring it to completion. Furtherin response to the operator's actions, the edit processing unit 2BC addsa prescribed file name to this completed editing list, records on arecording medium, and displays it on the display unit 8 as required.

Here, “0001I” on the first line denotes the in-point of scene 0001. Itindicates that recording is started from a time code (extended timecode) of “00+00+00:00:00:00” (reference TB) on the magnetic tape torecord the result of editing and that the corresponding time code(extended time code) on the playback side magnetic tape on which editingmaterials at this time are recorded are “01+01+00:02:03:15” (sourceETC).

Corresponding to the above, “00010” on the following second line denotesthe out-point of scene 0001, and “0002I1” and “0002I2” on the third andfourth lines, respectively, denote in-points having transition byspecial effects, indicating that filtering by V-wipe is accomplished ina transition time of five seconds. To the out-points corresponding tothese third and fourth lines, “000201” and “000202” on the fifth andsixth lines respectively correspond. Thus a special effect of V-WipeA isaccomplished between “0002I1” and “000201”, and another special effectof V-WipeB, between “0002I2” and “000202”.

Having completed the editing list in this manner, the edit processingunit 2BC controls the batch processing management unit 2BF to executeplanning of batch processing. For editing points involving specialeffects, the edit processing unit 2BC records in advance the videosignals of the results of editing subjected to special effects into thehard disk unit 2 (step SP43 in FIG. 3).

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for use in describing the processing ofsuch special effects, where two scenes, A and B, are to be connected bya wipe, dissolve or the like (FIGS. 16A and 16B).

In this case, the edit processing unit 2BC records in advance the videosignals for the transitional period EAB subjected to special effects bycontrolling the actions of the external device controller 2A and therebyexecuting the processing procedure shown in FIG. 17.

The edit processing unit 2BC moves on from step SP80 to step SP81, andtakes the video signals for the transitional period EA (AO1-AO2 segment)in scene A into the hard disk unit 2. At this time, the edit processingunit 2BC controls the thinning-out circuit 2CB to stop its action, andtakes in the video signals for this transitional period EA withoutdowngrading their resolution.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP82, and takes thevideo signals for the transitional period EB (BI1-BI2 segment) in thefollowing scene B into the hard disk unit 2. At this time, the editprocessing unit 2BC, as in the case of scene A, takes in the videosignals for this transitional period EB without downgrading theirresolution.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC, moving on to step SP83, successivelysynthesizes these two sets of video signals recorded in the hard diskunit 2 with the special effect filters 2BC, generates the result ofedition in the transitional period EAB (PEI-PEO segment), and recordsthis generated result of edition into the hard disk unit 2.

Having generated in advance the video signals for the transitionalperiod EAB in this manner, the edit processing unit 2BC, as shown inFIG. 18, controls the actions of the playback side VCR 5 at step SP84 soas to start playing back the video signals for the AI˜AO1 segment, whichis a scene before the transitional period EAB, and records these videosignals into the recording side VCR 6. At this time, the edit processingunit 2BC records the video signals of this scene A into the recordingside VCR 6 by insertion according to the editing list into the magnetictape on which the time code was recorded in advance.

Having recorded the video signals up to immediately before thetransitional period EAB, the edit processing unit 2BC, at the next stepSP85, records into the recording side VCR 6 the video signals of thetransitional period EAB saved by recording into the hard disk unit 2.Further, when it has recorded the video signals for this transitionalperiod EAB, the edit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP86, where itplays back the video signals for the BI2˜BO segment of the followingscene B, records them into the recording side VCR 6, and moves on tostep SP87 to complete this processing procedure. The editing apparatus 1is thereby enabled, even when video signals near editing points areselectively entered with their data quantity reduced, to effectivelyavoid deterioration of picture quality and give various special effects.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure by the editprocessing unit 2BC at step SP83 described above with reference to FIG.17. The edit processing unit 2BC, executing this processing procedure,-synthesizes the two sets of video signals recorded in the hard diskunit 2 to generate video signals for the transitional period EAB.

Thus the edit processing unit 2BC, going on from step SP90 to step SP91,sets a frame pointer reading PA, specifying a frame of scene A, so thatit point to the leading frame of the transitional period EA. Then theedit processing unit 2BC, moving on to step SP92, similarly sets a framepointer reading PB, specifying a frame of scene B, so that it point tothe leading frame of the transitional period PB.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC, going on to step SP93, reads outvideo signals designated by two frame pointer readings PA and PB fromthe hard disk unit 2, and executes filtering by operator-designatedspecial effects on these read-out video signals at the following stepSP94. Next the edit processing section 2BC, at step SP95, records theresult of this filtering into the hard disk unit 2 as video object forthe transitional period EAB. At this time, the edit processing unit 2BC,when the video object for the same transitional period EAB is alreadyrecorded in the hard disk unit 2, adds the generated video signals tothe end of this video object and records the augmented video object intothe hard disk unit 2.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP96, where itadvances the two frame pointer readings PA and PB by a value of 1 each,and moves further on to step SP97, where it judges whether or not theframe designated by these frame pointer readings PA and PB has surpassedthe final frame of the transitional period EAB. If a negative object isobtained here, the edit processing unit 2BC will return to step SP93,and repeat the same processing for the ensuing frames. The editprocessing unit 2BC then repeats the processing procedure of stepsSP93-SP94-SP95-SP96-SP97-SP93, and synthesizes video signals for thetransitional period EAB by successively filtering the frames of scene Aand scene B.

Having successively synthesized video signals for the transitionalperiod EAB in this manner, the edit processing unit 2BC is enabled toobtain an affirmative result at step SP97. In this case, the editprocessing unit 2BC moves on from step SP97 to step SP98 and, aftersuccessively adding a prescribed file name to the video signalsresulting from the editing, which are recorded in the hard disk unit 2,and saving the named video signals, goes further on to step SP99 tocomplete this processing procedure.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the procedure of processing by the editprocessing unit 2BC at step SP84 described above with reference to FIG.18. The edit processing unit 2BC, moving on from step SP100 to stepSP101, issues a control command to the playback side VCR 5 to cue up anin-point AI of scene A. Then the edit processing unit 2BC goes on tostep SP102, where it issues a control command to the recording side VCR6 to cue up the position of recording start by insert-editing.Incidentally, at these steps SP101 and SP102, the edit processing unit2BC sets, as cueing-up positions, positions back from the in-point andthe position or recording start, respectively, by prescribed numbers offrames SP and SR required for run adjustment.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP103, where itcauses the recording side VCR 6 and the playback side VCR 5 to startplaying back, and further on to step SP104. Here the edit processingunit 2BC, with reference to the time codes of the playback side VCR 5and the recording side VCR 6 detected via the time code management unit2BA, judges whether or not the run adjustment of the two VCRs has beenlocked and, if a negative result is obtained, will go on to step SP105.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC judges whether or not locking failurehas taken place by a prescribed number, n times, and if a negativeresult is obtained here, it returns to step SP101, where it executescueing-up again and causes the playback side VCR 5 and the recordingside VCR 6 to play back. The edit processing unit 2BC repeats theprocessing procedure of steps SP101-SP102-SP103-SP104-SP105-SP101, andif run adjustments have been attempted by the prescribed number, ntimes, and still fail to achieve locking, it will go on from step SP105to SP106. Here the edit processing unit 2BC, after resetting positionsback from the in-point and the position for recording start by thenumbers of frames SP and SR, respectively, returns to step SP101. If theedit processing unit 2BC still fails to lock a run adjustment inrepeated attempts, it will alter the conditions of run adjustment, andrepeat the same processing.

If, conversely, the actions of the two VCRs 5 and 6 are synchronized byrun adjustment, the edit processing unit 2BC will go on from step SP104to step SP108 (FIG. 21) because an affirmative result is obtained atstep SP104. Here the edit processing unit 2BC judges whether or not thetime codes of the playback side VCR 5 and the recording side VCR 6coincide with the time codes of the in-point and the position ofrecording start, respectively, and if a negative result is obtainedhere, it will repeat step SP108.

If, conversely, an affirmative result is obtained at step SP108, theedit processing unit 2BC will move on to step SP109, and issue a controlcommand to start recording by the recording side VCR 6. The editprocessing unit 2BC thereby starts recording by the recording side VCR 6from the in-point of the video signals played back by the playback sideVCR 5.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP110, judges herewhether or not the time code of the playback side VCR 5 coincides withthe time code immediately before the start point of the transitionalperiod EA and, if a negative result is obtained here, will repeat stepSP110 or, if an affirmative result is obtained, it will go on to stepSP111. The edit processing unit 2BC, after having the recording side VCR6 record the video signals played back by the playback side VCR 5 fromthe in-point till the position immediately before the start of thetransitional period EA, stops the actions of the two VCRs 5 and 6, andmoves on to step SP112 to complete this processing procedure.

The edit processing unit 2BC, when dubbing video signals from theplayback side VCR 5 to the recording side VCR 6, also executes the sameprocessing procedure as that shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 to process thevideo signals from the point of time at the end of the transitionalperiod EB of scene B till the out-point, described above with referenceto step SP86 in FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the procedure of processing describedabove with reference to step SP85 in FIG. 18. By executing thisprocessing procedure, the edit processing unit 2BC records in therecording side VCR 6 the result of editing for the transitional periodEAB, prepared in advance and recorded in the hard disk unit 2.

Thus the edit processing unit 2BC, moving on from step SP120 to stepSP121, reads out the result of editing for the transitional period EAB,recorded in the hard disk unit 2, into a temporary area of the memoryspace. Then the memory unit 2 goes on to step SP122, and cues up herethe recording side VCR 6 in a position back from the position ofrecording start of this editing result by a prescribed number of frames.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP123, where itinstructs the recording side VCR 6 to start playing back, at thefollowing step SP124 judges whether or not the time code of therecording side VCR 6 coincides with the time code of the start positionof the transitional period EAB and, if a negative result is obtainedhere, will repeat step SP124.

The edit processing unit 2BC, holding the recording side VCR 6 in aplayback state until the start position of the transitional period EAB,moves on to step SP125. Here it starts playing back the video signals ofthe transitional period EAB, held in the memory, at a playback speedcorresponding to the recording speed of the recording side VCR 6. Thenthe edit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP126, where it delivers arecording command to the recording side VCR 6, and causes the recordingside VCR 6 to record the successively played back video signals of thetransitional period EAB.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP127, where itjudges whether or not the recording of the video signals of thetransitional period EAB has been completed and, if a negative result isobtained here, will repeat step SP127 or, if an affirmative result isobtained, goes further on to step SP128. Here the edit processing unit2BC, after effecting control to stop the action of the recording sideVCR 6, moves on to step SP129 to complete this processing procedure.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the planning of batchprocessing described above with reference to step SP42 of FIG. 3. Where,for instance, video materials recorded on three magnetic tapes A, B andC are to be edited and recorded on another magnetic tape M (FIG. 23A),the edit processing unit 2BC, controlling the batch processingmanagement unit 2BF, first successively records time codes on themagnetic tape M on which the result of this editing is to be recorded.Further the edit processing unit 2BC instructs the operator to set thefirst magnetic tape A (FIG. 23B1), selected by the planning of batchprocessing, in the playback side VCR 5, and insert-records scenes A1 andA2, set on this first magnetic tape A, successively on the magnetic tapeM (FIG. 23B2).

Then the edit processing unit 2BC similarly instructs the operator toset the second magnetic tape B (FIG. 23C1), selected by the planning ofbatch processing, in the playback side VCR 5, and insert-records scenesB1 and B2, set on this second magnetic tape B, successively on themagnetic tape M (FIG. 23C2). Further the edit processing unit 2BCsimilarly instructs the operator to set the last remaining thirdmagnetic tape C (FIG. 23D1) in the playback side VCR 5, andinsert-records scenes C1, C2 and C3, set on this third magnetic tape C,successively on the magnetic tape M (FIG. 23D2).

The edit processing unit 2BC insert-records on the magnetic tape M eachoperator-set scene by batch processing on a tape-by-tape basis for themagnetic tapes A, B and C, and thereby reduces the required frequency ofchanging the magnetic tapes A, B and C.

At this time the edit processing unit 2BC plans batch processing byexecuting the processing procedure shown in FIG. 24 in the batchprocessing management unit 2BF, records on the magnetic tape M scenesfrom the input tapes in the ascending order of the video materiallength, and thereby enables the result of editing to be recorded on themagnetic tape M without requiring the operator to monitor the editingapparatus frequently. Incidentally, in this processing procedure shownin FIG. 24, the planning and the dubbing dependent on the result ofplanning are shown consecutively.

Thus the edit processing unit 2BC moves on from step SP130 to stepSP131, where it detects the number n of input tapes from the time codemap. Then the edit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP134, where itsets the count X of an input tape counter to 1. The input tape counterhere is a counter to specify input tapes.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to step SP135, where itdetects the total time length TX of materials to be recorded on amagnetic tape (magnetic tape X) of a count X by the recording side VCR6. The total time length TX here is detected from the time code map.Then the edit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP136, where itadvances the count X of the input tape counter by 1, and further on tostep SP137. Here the edit processing unit 2BC judges whether or not thecount X of the input tape counter has surpassed the number n of inputtapes and, if a negative result is obtained, will return to step SP135.

The edit processing unit 2BC repeats the processing procedure of stepsSP135-SP136-SP137-SP135, and detects for each input tape the total timelength TX of materials to be recorded on the magnetic tape M by therecording side VCR 6. Having detected the total time length TX for everytape in this manner, the edit processing unit 2BC moves on to stepSP138, where it lines up the tape IDs of the input tapes in theascending order of the total time length TX, and the order of thisarrangement is made the sequence in which the input tapes are to beloaded into the playback side VCR 5.

As shown in FIG. 25, then the edit processing unit 2BC records at stepSP139 consecutive time codes on the magnetic tape loaded into therecording side VCR 6. Next the edit processing unit 2BC, at step SP140,urges the operator to load the playback side VCR 5 with a magnetic tapeaccording to the sequence set at step SP138, and at the following stepSP141 judges whether or not the playback side VCR 5 has been loaded withthe magnetic tape corresponding to the status of the playback side VCR 5detected via the external device controller 2A. If a negative result isobtained here, the edit processing unit 2BC will return to step SP140,and again urge the operator to load the magnetic tape or, if anaffirmative result is obtained, will move on to step SP142. Here theedit processing unit 2BC plays back the applicable video signals on theplayback side VCR 5, and records the played-back video signals into therecording side VCR 6. Upon completion of this recording, the editprocessing unit 2BC goes onto step SP143, where it judges whether or notall the input magnetic tapes have been dubbed and, if a negative resultis obtained here, will move on to step SP144.

The edit processing unit 2BC switches the magnetic tape to be dubbed tothe following one, and goes on to step SP140 to urge the operator toload this tape. If, conversely, all the input magnetic tapes have beendubbed, an affirmative result will be obtained at step SP143, and theedit processing unit 2BC will move on to step SP145 to complete thisprocessing procedure.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure at step SP142of FIG. 25 in detail. By executing this processing procedure, the editprocessing unit 2BC records on the magnetic tape loaded in the recordingside VCR 6 video materials from the input magnetic tape selectedaccording to planning by the batch processing management unit 2BF.

Thus the edit processing unit 2BC moves on from step SP150 to stepSP151, where it extracts from the editing list editing point dataregarding the magnetic tape loaded in the playback side VCR 5. Then theedit processing unit 2BC goes on to step SP152, where it arranges theextracted editing data in the order of time codes of the recording sideVCR 6.

Next the edit processing unit 2BC moves onto step SP153, where it causesthe recording side VCR 6 to dub the scenes on the magnetic tape loadedin the playback side VCR 5 according to the editing point data in theorder where they were arranged at step SP152. In this dubbing, the editprocessing unit 2BC cues up the playback side VCR 5 and the recordingside VCR 6, subjects them to run adjustment and causes them to dub thescenes by insert-recording.

Then the edit processing unit 2BC, going on to step SP154, judgeswhether or not all the scenes on the magnetic tape loaded in theplayback side VCR 5 have been dubbed and, if a negative result isobtained, will repeat step SP153. If, conversely, all the scenes havebeen dubbed, which would give an affirmative result at step SP154, theedit processing unit 2BC will move on to step SP155 to complete thisprocessing procedure.

Incidentally, in the editing using special effects described above withreference to FIG. 16, the edit processing unit 2BC executes theabove-described processing procedure in this manner at the applicabletiming in accordance with the plan formulated by the batch processingmanagement unit 2BF.

In the foregoing configuration, in the editing apparatus 1, as themagnetic tape recording video materials, which are to be edited, isloaded into the playback side VCR 5 and the operator roughly designatesin-points and out-points successively, video signals near each in-pointand out-point are selectively recorded into the hard disk unit 2 (FIG.5). In the editing apparatus 1, previewing and other processings areexecuted with these selectively taken-in video signals, so that editingwork can be accomplished with a simple configuration, requiring nolarge-capacity hard disk unit 2.

Furthermore, the video signals taken into the hard disk unit 2 in thismanner are downgraded in resolution by the thinning-out circuit 2CB,resulting in a reduction in data quantity. The editing apparatus 1 isthereby enabled to execute various aspects of editing work with a harddisk unit 2 of an even smaller capacity.

In taking in video signals around editing points in this manner, theediting apparatus 1 generates extended time codes by adding to the timecode of each editing point a tape ID, which identifies a magnetic tape,and an in-tape ID, which identifies a scene to be edited, and theseextended time codes constitute a time code map indicating therelationship of correspondence between all the magnetic tapes and theresult of editing (FIG. 9).

The editing apparatus 1 is thereby enabled, when dubbing video signalsfrom the playback side VCR 5 to the recording side VCR 6, relatesvarious video materials to time codes on the recording side according tosuch time code maps so that, even where a plurality of magnetic tapesare to be edited, video materials recorded on the plurality of magnetictapes can be subjected to unified management. Furthermore, only thosevideo materials which are close to editing points are taken in and thesetaken-in video materials are related to the original video materials, sothat pictures in which continuity among the partially taken-in videomaterials is ensured can be compiled and identity with the originalvideo materials can be maintained.

Accordingly, in the editing apparatus 1, as video signals are taken infor the compilation of an editing list in this manner, pointermanipulation on the display screen of the display unit 8 (FIG. 10)enables the setting of in-points and out-points to be altered andspecial effects desired by the operator to be set, and operationaccording to a menu selected in the window W1 formed on this displayscreen enables the result of editing after these alterations andsettings to be confirmed with the display in the window W1 so as to makepossible execution of previewing. Further, in response to thesealterations and settings, an editing list corresponding in time code isprepared.

If, then, two video materials are to be consecutively previewed by cutediting, for instance, video signals taken into the hard disk unit 2 areplayed back and displayed in the window W1 for the near-in-point part ofthe first video material, followed by displaying of the final frame ofthis near-in-point part of the video material in a still picture, andvideo signals for editing list compilation, recorded in the hard diskunit 2, are displayed for the near-out-point part. Further, with theout-point as border, video signals from an in-point are displayed forthe second video material recorded in the hard disk unit 2 and, afterthe final frame of the video material near this in-point is displayed ina still picture, video signals for editing list compilation, recorded inthe hard disk unit 2, are displayed for the near-out-point part.

Where two scenes are to be linked with a special effect, two videosignals recorded in the hard disk unit 2 are connected with a specialeffect selected by the operator and displayed in the window W1, whileimmediately before and after the connection, video signals of each scenefor editing list compilation, recorded in the hard disk unit 2, aredisplayed. This enables the operator, even if only those video signalswhich are close to editing points are taken into the hard disk unit 2and previewed, can preview and manipulate them as if he or she had takenin and was previewing all the video signals, resulting in acorresponding improvement in manipulating ease.

Furthermore, the displaying of the time code in the upper part of thewindow W1 enables the operator to confirm the current preview positionwith this time code, resulting in a further improvement in manipulatingease.

In the editing apparatus 1, upon completion of the alteration of editingpoints and the choice of a special effect, the editing list is generatedby the action of the operator (FIG. 15), and after that video signalsresulting from editing are recorded into the recording side VCR 6according to this editing list. In this process, in the editingapparatus 1, planning by batch processing is executed, and the playbackduration is detected for every magnetic tape on which materials forediting are recorded. Further, the arrangement of magnetic tapes is setin the ascending order of the playback duration, and the operatorinstructs the loading of magnetic tapes into the playback side VCR 5 inthe order of this arrangement.

In this manner, scenes selected by the operator from magnetic tapes,arranged in the ascending order of the playback duration, aresuccessively insert-recorded into the recording side VCR 6, and thefrequency of magnetic tape loading, where a plurality of magnetic tapesare to be used in the editing of video recorded materials, isdrastically reduced. The successive insert-recording from magnetic tapesin the ascending order of playback duration enables the operator, afterrepeating magnetic time changes at short intervals of time immediatelyafter the start of recording, to leave the editing apparatus 1 for theexecution of some other work and thereby to enhance the efficiency ofhis or her work.

For special effects to synthesize two sets of video signals, these twosets of video signals are taken into the hard disk unit 2 in advanceonly for their transitional period EAB, and the taken-in video signalsare synthesized and saved in the hard disk unit 2. This arrangementenables even a system configuration having no complex special effectapparatus to edit video signals with various special effects.

The foregoing configuration enables a hard disk unit of even a smallcapacity to execute various aspects of editing work by reducing the dataquantity only of video signals near editing points, recording them intoa hard disk unit and executing previews with these video signals, andthereby makes it possible to provide an editing apparatus of a simpleconfiguration.

In the previewing process, a still picture and a time code are displayedfor any video signals not taken into the hard disk unit, and thiscontributes to improving the handling ease when only those video signalswhich are close to editing points are to be taken in and previewed.

Furthermore, as the result of editing is recorded by batch processingfor each magnetic tape and the magnetic tapes are successively processedin the ascending order of playback duration, the frequency of magnetictape changes by the operator is reduced, resulting in a correspondingimprovement in the efficiency of his or her work.

Where a special effect is to be added, the video signals to be processedare recorded into the hard disk unit only for the transitional periodand the result of editing is held, so that even a system configurationhaving no complex special effect apparatus can edit video signals withvarious special effects.

Although the above-described embodiment of the present inventiondowngrades the resolution of and takes into the hard disk unit onlythose video signals which are close to editing points, the invention isnot limited to this arrangement, but the downgrading of resolution maybe dispensed with where the hard disk unit has a sufficient capacity todo without it.

Further, though in the foregoing embodiment a still picture and a timecode are to be displayed for video signals not taken into the hard diskunit, the invention is not limited to this disposition, but either astill picture or a time code, instead of both, may be displayed. Or inplace of them, where the hard disk unit has a sufficient capacity topermit it, pictures fed on a frame-by-frame basis may be taken into thehard disk unit and displayed in that frame-by-frame form.

Where two scenes are to be linked with a special effect in theabove-described embodiment, video signals for the two scenes are to betaken into the hard disk unit and synthesized, but the invention is notlimited to this configuration, and instead the video signals for onlyone scene may be taken into the hard disk unit and those for the otherscene may be played back from the playback side VCR. In this case, theresult of editing may as well be directly recorded into the recordingside VCR.

Whereas special effects by filtering to synthesize two video signalswere described with reference to the foregoing embodiment, the presentinvention is not limited to such special effects, but can also beapplied to such other special effects by filtering as fade-out andfade-in for example.

Although the description of the foregoing embodiment referred to a casein which the result of editing by batch processing is to be recordedfrom magnetic tapes in the ascending order of playback duration, theresult of editing by batch processing may as well be recorded in thedescending order of playback duration.

In the above-described embodiment, planning of batch processing is to beexecuted in selectively taking in video signals close to editing pointsand editing them, but the invention is not limited to this disposition,and may be extensively applied to cases in which video signals on aplurality of magnetic tapes are to be edited and video signalsrepresenting the result of editing are to be recorded from thesemagnetic tapes on to another magnetic tape.

Although the foregoing embodiment supposes an editing procedure usingone each of recording side VCR and of playback side VCR, the inventionis not limited to this configuration, but a plurality of playback sideVCRs may be used for editing.

In the above-described embodiment, video materials recorded on magnetictapes are to be edited, but the invention is not limited to thisdisposition, and can be extensively applied to editing of video signalsrecorded on various media including hard disk units, optical discs andIC cards.

As hitherto described, the invention can provide an editing apparatus ofa simple configuration which can execute various aspects of editing bytransferring only partial video signals which are needed for the settingof editing points to working memory means and previewing the result ofediting with these partial video signals.

What is claimed is:
 1. An editing apparatus comprising: (a) a playbackside memory apparatus configured to output video signals comprising aplurality of video segments, each of said video segments having aduration defined by an in-point and an out-point thereof; (b) arecording side memory apparatus for recording selected said videosegments from said playback side memory apparatus; (c) an editorconfigured to (i) enable a user to select near-in-points andnear-out-points associated with respective said video segments, (ii)store in a memory only limited video date adjacent said selectednear-in-points and near-out-points without storing the full said videosegments, (iii) enable the user to view said stored video data andselect therefrom said in-points and out-points of said video segments,and (iv) create an edit list comprising information corresponding tosaid in-points and out-points of said video segments; and (d) a playbackcontroller to control transfer of said video segments to said recordingside memory apparatus in accordance with said edit list.
 2. An editingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said video data between saidnear-in-points and near-out-points is stored in said memory in acompressed form.
 3. An editing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid editor further enables the user to process selected portions ofsaid video data between said near-in-points and near-out-points with oneor more special effects to add transition video segments between saidvideo segments.
 4. An editing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid editor further enables the user to process selected portions ofsaid video data between said near-in-points and near-out-points with oneor more special effects to add transition video segments between saidvideo segments, said selected portions being stored in said memory in anuncompressed form.
 5. An editing apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein said editor further enables display of a preview window todisplay said video data stored in said memory and a still picturerepresenting video signals not stored in said memory, composed of videodata from said memory.
 6. An editing apparatus as claimed in claim 5,wherein said editor further enables display of a preview window todisplay said video data stored in said memory and a time code of videosignals not stored in said memory.
 7. An editing apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said editor controls the order of recording of saidvideo segments from a plurality of different recording media so as tominimize the frequency of changing said recording media in said playbackside memory apparatus.
 8. An editing apparatus as claimed in claim 7,wherein said editor controls the order of recording so that saidrecording media may be changed in said playback side memory apparatus ineither an ascending order or a descending order of playback duration. 9.An editing method comprising: (a) providing a source of video signalsfrom a playback side memory apparatus, said video signals comprising aplurality of video segments, each of said video segments having aduration defined by an in-point and an out-point thereof; (b) selectingnear-in-points and near-out-points associated with respective said videosegments; (c) storing in a memory only limited video data adjacent saidselected near-in-points and near-out-points without storing the fullsaid video segments; (d) viewing said stored video data and selectingtherefrom said in-points and out-points of said video segments; (e)creating an edit list comprising information corresponding to saidin-points and out-points of said video segments; and (f) transferringsaid video segments to said recording side memory apparatus inaccordance with said edit list.
 10. An editing method as claimed inclaim 9, further comprising storing said video data between saidnear-in-points and near-out-points in said memory in a compressed form.11. An editing method as claimed in claim 9, further comprisingprocessing selected portion of said video data between saidnear-in-points and near-out-points with one or more special effects toadd transition video segments between said video segments.
 12. Anediting method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising processingselected portions of said video data between said near-in-points andnear-out-points with one or more special effects to add transition videosegments between full video segments, and storing said selected portionsin said memory in an uncompressed form.
 13. An editing method as claimedin claim 9, further comprising displaying a preview window to displaysaid video data stored in said memory and display a still picturerepresenting video signals not stored in said memory, composed of videodata from said memory.
 14. An editing method as claimed in claim 13,further comprising displaying a preview window to display said videodata stored in said memory and a time code of video signals not storedin said memory.
 15. An editing method as claimed in claim 9, furthercomprising ordering the recording of said video segments from aplurality of recording media so as to minimize the frequency of changingsaid recording media in said playback side memory apparatus.
 16. Anediting method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising ordering therecording so that said recording media may be changed in said playbackside memory apparatus in either an ascending order or a descending orderof playback duration.
 17. An editing apparatus comprising: (a) aplayback side memory apparatus configured to output video signalscomprising a plurality of video segments, each of said video segmentshaving a duration defined by an in-point and an out-point thereof; (b) arecording side memory apparatus for recording selected said videosegments from said playback side memory apparatus; and (c) a computercomprising a playback controller to control operation of said playbackside memory apparatus, a memory, and a processor running an editorprogram configured to (i) enable a user to select near-in-points andnear-out-points associated with respective said video segments, (ii)store in said memory only limited video data adjacent said selectednear-in-points and near-out-points without storing the full said videosegments, (iii) enable the user to view said stored video data andselect therefrom said in-points and out-points of said video segments,(iv) create an edit list comprising information corresponding to saidin-points and out-points of said video segments, and (v) control saidplayback controller to control transfer of said video segments to saidrecording side memory apparatus in accordance with said edit list.